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When he spoke at the Wellmont Health System-Mountain States Health Alliance merger announcement April 2, Dr. Jeff Farrow was effusive in his praise of the proposed deal’s benefits for physicians. Farrow, a pulmonologist and Mountain States board member, said a combined system could, “help us attract the best and brightest physicians to our region.” He added that a goal for the combined system would be, “to become one of the most fulfilling places in the country to practice medicine” and to be “one of the nation’s best providers of care.”

The Chambers of Commerce of Kingsport, Bristol and Johnson City/Jonesborough/Washington County endorse the proposed merger of Wellmont Health System and Mountain States Health Alliance to an integrated single system. We believe this offers the best opportunity for the betterment of our region’s healthcare.

In an email to thousands of the health care system’s employees, Mountain States Health Alliance CEO Alan Levine confirmed a partnership agreement with the Johnson City-based hospital organization and neighboring Wellmont Health System, a combination that will have major effects across the Tri-Cities.

There are two candidates remaining in Wellmont’s search to merge. One is rumored to be our Mountain States Health Alliance, the other is Sentara based in Norfolk, VA. Modern Healthcare just reported that due to Sentara’s expansion efforts in 2013, their operating margin decreased by 20%. This could spell trouble for our area if Sentara is selected because one likely scenario would be “Slash and Burn” cost cutting hitting our region the hardest.